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Hey there! I’m Katie, and I’m about to share one of my all-time favorite seafood recipes that I make at least twice a month in my kitchen. This Creamy Tuscan Butter Shrimp is pure comfort in a bowl!
As usual, and as our readers know, we have a ‘Jump to Recipe’ button and a ‘Table of Contents’ to make navigation easier. If you’re in a hurry and want to start cooking right away, feel free to jump straight to the recipe card below.
Imagine a dish that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, yet easy enough for a weeknight dinner. That’s exactly what this Tuscan butter shrimp delivers! 😋
As a pescatarian and seafood lover, I’m always looking for meals that are both satisfying and simple to make. This recipe ticks all the boxes – it’s restaurant-quality food you can easily make at home.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tuscan Butter Shrimp 💕
This dish has a perfect balance of creamy, garlicky, and slightly tangy flavors that dance on your taste buds. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that come together beautifully.
One of the best things? It’s ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Fun Fact: The name “Tuscan” comes from the Italian herbs and sun-dried tomatoes that give this dish its distinctive flavor profile!
For my keto friends, this recipe is a dream come true! It’s naturally low in carbs while still being incredibly satisfying and rich.
The versatility of this dish is another reason to love it. You can pair it with so many different sides depending on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
Now, let’s talk about what goes into creating this mouthwatering dish! 🧄🍅
Ingredients Breakdown 🛒
Shrimp
I recommend using large or jumbo shrimp (16-20 count per pound) for the best results. Fresh is wonderful if you can get it, but frozen works perfectly too – just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking.
Pro Tip: Buy shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined to save time on prep work! 👩🍳
Heavy Cream & Butter
These two ingredients form the luxurious base of our sauce. The heavy cream creates that silky texture, while butter adds richness and helps to sear the shrimp to perfection.
Garlic & Sun-dried Tomatoes
Garlic provides that wonderful aromatic base that’s essential to this dish. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a sweet-tart flavor that cuts through the richness of the cream.
Flavor Boost: Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil have extra flavor, but you can use the dry-packed kind too—just soak them in hot water for 10 minutes first!
Parmesan Cheese
This adds both umami depth and helps thicken our sauce. Always use freshly grated Parmesan rather than the pre-packaged kind for the best melting and flavor.
Spinach
A handful of fresh spinach adds beautiful color, nutrients, and a slight earthy taste that balances the richness of the dish.
Seasonings
Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper round out the flavor profile and give this dish its “Tuscan” character.
Let’s move on to the full recipe so you can see how all these wonderful ingredients come together! 🍽️
Creamy Tuscan Butter Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A rich, creamy shrimp dish with Italian flavors, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes like it took hours!
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prep the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear the shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 1-2 minutes per side until pink and slightly golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Start the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add tomatoes: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
- Create the cream base: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add spinach: Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Return the shrimp: Add the cooked shrimp back to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Taste and serve: Adjust seasoning if needed, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it to your preferred consistency.
- For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Health Benefits of Shrimp 🦐
As a pescatarian, I love knowing that my protein choices come with great health benefits!
Shrimp is high in protein while being low in calories, making it perfect for anyone watching their calorie intake but still wanting to feel satisfied.
Nutritional Highlight:
| Nutrient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20g per 3oz serving – great for muscle building |
| Omega-3s | Supports heart health and reduces inflammation |
| Iodine | Essential for proper thyroid function |
| Selenium | Powerful antioxidant that helps reduce cell damage |
| Vitamin B12 | Important for nerve function and red blood cell formation |
The omega-3 fatty acids in shrimp help support heart health, which is always a bonus in my book. They might be small, but shrimp pack a big nutritional punch!
Did you know that shrimp contains astaxanthin, a natural compound that helps protect skin from premature aging? Beauty and taste in one package! 💆♀️
References:
– The Healthy
– WebMD
Now that we know why shrimp is so good for us, let’s look at what to serve with this delicious dish!
Serving Suggestions 🍽️
One of the reasons I love this Tuscan butter shrimp recipe is how flexible it is when it comes to side dishes!
Keto-friendly Sides
If you’re following a keto diet, this dish pairs beautifully with:
- Cauliflower rice (my personal favorite!)
- Zucchini noodles or “zoodles”
- Mashed cauliflower with extra butter and herbs
- Simple side salad with olive oil dressing
Quick Tip: I often meal prep cauliflower rice on the weekends so I can quickly heat it up during the week!
Non-keto Sides
For those not counting carbs, try these delicious options:
- Linguine or fettuccine pasta
- Crusty garlic bread for soaking up that amazing sauce
- Fluffy white or brown rice
- Roasted potatoes with herbs
Garnish Ideas
Take your presentation to the next level with:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Extra grated Parmesan
- Lemon zest for brightness
- A drizzle of good olive oil
I find that a simple side and a beautiful garnish make this dish look like it came from a fancy restaurant, even though it only took minutes to make!
Now let’s look at some ways to change up this recipe.
Cooking Tips and Variations 🔄
Over the years, I’ve played around with this recipe quite a bit. Here are some of my favorite ways to change it up:
Dairy-Free Version
Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free alternative. The slight coconut flavor works surprisingly well with the other ingredients!
Protein Swaps
While I stick to seafood as a pescatarian, this sauce works wonderfully with:
- Other seafood like scallops or chunks of firm white fish
- Chicken breast (for non-pescatarians)
- Tofu for a completely vegetarian option
Extra Vegetables
Make the dish even more nutritious by adding:
- Sliced mushrooms (add them right after the garlic)
- Diced bell peppers for color and crunch
- Artichoke hearts for an extra Tuscan touch
- Cherry tomatoes added in the last few minutes of cooking
Kitchen Hack: If you have picky eaters who don’t like spinach, try baby kale or even arugula instead!
Flavor Variations
Try these tweaks to change up the flavor profile:
- Use ghee instead of butter for a more intense buttery flavor
- Add a splash of white wine before adding the cream
- Mix in pesto for an herby twist
- Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for extra heat
Let’s also talk about common mistakes to avoid when making this dish!
Common Mistakes to Avoid ⚠️
Even as someone who makes this dish regularly, I’ve made my share of errors in the past. Learn from my mistakes!
Overcooking Shrimp
Probably the biggest mistake you can make! Shrimp cook very quickly and become rubbery if overcooked. They should just turn pink and curl into a loose “C” shape – if they curl into a tight “O,” they’re overcooked.
Golden Rule: When shrimp are pink, opaque, and firm to the touch, they’re done!
Skipping the Sear
Taking the time to properly sear the shrimp adds so much flavor. Don’t rush this step by overcrowding the pan – work in batches if needed.
Adding Parmesan Too Early
If you add the Parmesan while the sauce is too hot or bubbling, it may clump or separate. Turn down the heat first and stir it in gradually.
Using Too Much Cream Too Fast
Add your cream gradually and let it reduce slightly for the best consistency. Dumping it all in at once can make the sauce too thin.
Not Patting Shrimp Dry
Excess moisture prevents proper searing. Always pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking them.
Learning to avoid these mistakes will help you make perfect Tuscan butter shrimp every single time! 👌
Final Thoughts 💭
This Creamy Tuscan Butter Shrimp has become one of my signature dishes that friends and family request again and again. I love how impressive it looks and tastes despite how simple it is to make!
Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own. Change up the vegetables, adjust the seasonings, or try different sides until you find your perfect combination.
You may like also:
– Shrimp Linguine Pasta
– Buffalo Shrimp Recipe
– Firecracker Shrimp Recipe
– Sous Vide Shrimp Recipe
I’d love to know how this recipe turns out for you! What side dish did you pair it with? Did you make any tasty modifications? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Happy cooking! 🍤❤️
~ Katie
